Founded in 2017, Analog Brass has been bringing its blend of modern sounds and traditional New Orleans brass band music to shows and parties all over the area for the last five years.
You might have seen them at Downtown Sounds last summer, or popping up at a house party or a parade. Led by Maxwell Lemke, who also plays trombone and sousaphone, the band is made up of seven horns and two drummers. As one might expect with a band that size, they also have a rotating cast of subs who can fill in when one member can’t make it to a gig.
Although brass band music is the foundation of what Analog Brass plays, the ensemble incorporates all sorts of influences into its sound, occasionally referring to themselves as a “pop-funk” band that plays brass instruments. They mention the Hot 8 Brass Band, the Soul Rebels, the Big 6 Brass Band and Rebirth Brass Band as some of their biggest influences.
As the title of its 2021 album “Songs From The Protest Route” would suggest, Analog Brass loves to play at protests and political events. They are currently working on a new album, tentatively entitled “Homebrew,” which will include a mix of instrumentals and collaborations with some of the best rappers on the local hip-hop scene. Members write most of their own music but don’t shy away from the occasional cover (check the version of “Old Town Road” to see what I mean).
Analog Brass has two big shows this week, at the Kulshan Trackside stage on Thursday, Aug. 18, and then headlining the Stones Throw Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 20. If you want to experience a bit of New Orleans right here in Bellingham, put on your dancing shoes and head on over.
In other big block party news, FrinGe Brewing is hosting one up in Ferndale with all sorts of live music. They’ll be taking over a block of Third Avenue from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, setting up a stage and bringing in a bunch of food trucks and other fun.
With the Sylvia Center for the Arts closing next month, the Jazz Center needed a new home for its concert series. I was glad to hear it will be moving to the FireHouse Arts and Events Center in Fairhaven, which should be a great spot for it. The Jazz Center also announced its schedule through January and will be having an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to celebrate.
Finally, fans of unpredictable folk music should make sure to check out “Where I Wanna Be,” the debut recording from local duo Marie, The Band. The seven-song EP is full of surprises, harmonies, humor and fiddles.
Live Music Listings
Wednesday, Aug. 17
Bar Cicotti: 6 p.m., Brian Cunningham & Tom Anastasio (jazz)
Big Stick BBQ: 5 p.m., Michael Dayvid (acoustic covers)
Blue Room: 9 p.m., Infinite Sleepover, Vervex
Boundary: 6 p.m., Aaron Guest on piano
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
Juxt: 8:30 p.m., Invitational Open Mic
Rockfish: 6 p.m., Daniel Pellegrini (acoustic rock)
Thursday, Aug. 18
Barkley Market: noon, McKain Lakey (folk)
Blue Room: 6 p.m., Open Mic
Boundary: 5 p.m., Robert Sarazin Blake; 8 p.m., McKain Lakey, Sofie Mae
Elizabeth Park: 6 p.m., Free Harmony (classic folk/rock)
Farmstrong: 6:30 p.m., Savanna Woods
Greene’s Corner: 6:45 p.m., Kid’Sax Ensemble
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., The Great Marvini, Sonja Lee
Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Cascadia Groove (funk/jazz)
Kulshan Trackside: 7 p.m., Analog Brass, Trabin
Mount Vernon Riverwalk: 6 p.m., Janie Cribbs and the T Rust Band (blues)
Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Twin Sisters: 6 p.m., Cardova (R&B/soul)
That’s What I Like: 6 p.m., Jeffrey Slough & Friends (classic rock)
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., The Polish Ambassador (electronic)
Friday, Aug. 19
Aslan: 8 p.m., Sleepy Alligators (Grateful Dead tribute)
Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Lost at Last
Bellewood: 6 p.m., Queen’s Bluegrass
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Hookmeyer (jazz/blues)
Blue Room: 7:45 p.m., Vendovi, Mattlock and the Keys, Entropy Son (rock)
Boundary: 6 p.m., Jezebel’s Mother (folk)
Eagle Haven: 6 p.m., Michael Dayvid
Fireside: 7 p.m., Jeffrey Slough & Friends (classic rock)
Greene’s Corner: 7 p.m., A Flattering Light (folk/rock)
Guemes Island General Store: 6:30 p.m., Yogoman Burning Band (reggae/dub/R&B)
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Jacob Seyer (instrumental acoustic guitar)
Lighthouse: 7:30 p.m., TBA (jazz/lounge)
Newsroom Pub: 5 p.m., Little Big Band (classic/Southern rock)
Seafarers’ Memorial Park (Anacortes): 6 p.m., Santa Poco
Semiahmoo: 6 p.m., Ron Gerdhardt
Shakedown: 9 p.m., Phone Books, Spine Readers, Hippies With Money (rock)
Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Penny Stinkers (classic rock)
That’s What I Like: 7 p.m., Andy Koch (blues)
Vault: 7 p.m., RJ Rex (blues/jazz)
Wild Buffalo: 8:30 p.m., Andy Coe Band (Jerry Garcia tribute)
Saturday, Aug. 20
Beach at Birch Bay: 4 p.m., Mutiny Bay (hard rock covers)
Blue Room: 9 p.m., Motus, Biddadat, Soul Vibrator (funk)
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Sandy Rowe
Boundary: 1 p.m., TBA
Brown Lantern: 9 p.m., Savage Blues Band
Conway Muse: 8 p.m., Prozac Mountain Boys (bluegrass)
Fireside: 3:30 p.m., Singers’ Saturday
FrinGe Brewing: noon to 8 p.m., block party featuring Groovebot, NorthstaR, Cozmic Sauce, more
Greene’s Corner: 6:30 p.m., RJ Rex’s Gruv (blues/jazz)
Guemes Island General Store: 6:30 p.m., Eli West Trio, Jacob Navarro (folk)
Heart of Anacortes: 6 p.m., Newton’s Law (jazz/funk/fusion)
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Jeanlizbeth (singer-songwriter)
Kulshan Trackside: 7 p.m., The Dawn Bombs, Bob Fossil
Lighthouse: 7:30 p.m., TBA (jazz/lounge)
Rockfish Grill: 7:30 p.m., Pacific Twang (country)
Semiahmoo: 6 p.m., Steven Fletcher
Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Jesse Lang
Station 49: 5 p.m., Still Kickin’ (classic rock)
Stones Throw: 1 p.m., DJ Yogoman, 5 p.m., Analog Brass
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., King Lil G, Cele Cortez & J-Fizz (hip-hop)
Sunday, Aug. 21
Beach at Birch Bay: 1 p.m., NorthstaR
Birdsview: 1 p.m., Lil Joe Argo
Culture Cafe: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Gilkey Square (La Conner): 1 p.m., Chris Eger Band (blues/rock)
Kulshan Sunnyland: 6 p.m., One Lane Bridge (classic rock)
Kulshan Trackside: 3 p.m., The Muddy Souls (bluegrass)
Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., Ron Bailey & The Tangents (classic rock)
Semiahmoo: 4 p.m., Jordyn Johnson
Station 49: 3 p.m., D’vas and Dudes (classic rock)
Monday, Aug. 22
Boundary: 6 p.m., Sapphires Garden
Kulshan Sunnyland: 6 p.m., Tea Seas Trio (jazz/funk/surf)
Before heading out to listen to live music, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
Jesse Stanton’s music column, The Beat Goes On, runs Wednesdays. Email: jsbhammusic@gmail.com or Twitter: @JSBhamMusic.
